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The University of Alberta researchers found teas from China contained more lead than others and hypothesize that tea plants absorb pollution, such as the lead-containing emissions from China’s coal-fired power plants.

There isn’t enough evidence to say the lead does mostly comes from Chinese coal plants, however.

The study says pregnant women should “severely limit” their tea consumption — the metal poses a risk to the neurological development of fetuses — and recommends authorities consider public-health warnings and industry regulation, the newspaper reports.

China has a strong policy framework in place to transition to a green economy, but significant challenges — including pollution problems — stand in the way, according to a study sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection.